It’s always a pleasure to discover a Louise Fili design, and this new monograph, “Elegantissima,” collects all of her work to date under one cover — from her alluring and innovative book jackets to her elevated style of food packaging and restaurant identity designs. As you might expect, the book beautifully displays the visual magic of Fili’s reinterpretation and innovation of classic design; but equally interesting are the personal elements of the book — the foreword by her husband, design critic Steven Heller, as well as the anecdotes she shares about the history of her career and projects, and her acknowledgements at the end. These narratives give us a real sense of the woman behind the iconic and whimsical designs. “Elegantissima” is an education, and an inspiration.
